Dozens of people were evacuated from a Manchester high rise Tuesday during a small apartment fire.

Officials said the fire in the Pariseau high rise on Manchester's west side was put out quickly, but smoke spread throughout the second floor. Fire officials said the building's sprinkler system kept the flames in check.

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"But smoke has permeated throughout the structure, so we're dealing with real mixed occupancy, people with respiratory issues and other issues," said Chief James Burkush.

Many residents in the 100-unit, 11-story building are seniors, handicapped or live with other challenges. Residents said they knew that when the alarms went off, it wasn't a drill.

"I started to smell smoke in my apartment, and that's when I opened the door and I said, 'Whoa, I better go now,' because I have a hard time getting down stairs," said third-floor resident Robert Soucy.

At least two people were taken to a hospital.

"The guy in the room that it started in, they took him out on a stretcher," said third-floor resident Warren Whittemore.

"They took him out by ambulance, then they took another guy out on the 10th floor because of the smoke," said resident Diana Lee.

The city bused evacuees down the street to the Cashin Senior Center, where they were told to expect a three- to four-hour wait before going home.

Burkush said the incident could have been much worse if not for the sprinklers, which were installed within the past few years.